Flush-valve mechanism



Get. 9, 1928.

- M. SCHILLER FLUSH VALVE MECHANISM Filed Sept. 26, 1927 INVENToR retenes oa. 9, 1928.

-srATEs MORRIS SCHILLER, oF VENICE, CALIFORNIA.

FLUSH-VALVE MECHANISM.

Application filed September 26, 1927. Serial No 222,076. v

My invention relates to iiush tanks as user 1n water-closets, and it has particular reierence to the flush valves thereof.

ln flush tanks as heretofore constructed, the Hush valves employed became ineffective after short use to properly close the outlet port or Spud, andas a consequence water leaks 'from the tank into thebowl wiich is both wasteful and annoying. This detect arises by reason of the failure ci the flush valve to properly seat on the spud due to faulty construction oi the valve but mainly to the total lack of any means for positively seating the valve.

lt is a purpose or" my invention to provide a ilusn valve mechanism by which the liquidtight sealing of the outlet Aport or Spud is Vpositively effected with each closing of the valve, thus eliminating water waste and the attendant annoyance.

in carrying out my invention, I utilize the pressure oi' water from the water supply line to actuate and torce the flush valve beyond a tight on the spud, the water pressure being sufiiciently positive in its closing` action en the valve to overcome any structural vdetests which would tend to produce an im-v proper seating.

l `will describe only one form of flush valve mechanism embodying my invention and will then point out the novel features in claims.

ln the accompanying drawings:

Fi 1 is a view showing in vertical section and partly in elevation one form oftlush valve mechanism embodying my invention in applied position to a flush tank; l

Figs. 2 Vand 3 are vertical sectional views taken on the line 2 3 of Fig. 1, showing the two positions which the movable parts occupy during the operation of the mechanism; and

Fig. l isa fragmentary top plan-view of the mechanism shown in the preceding views.

Referring specifically to the drawings, my invention in its present embodiment is shown associated with a conventional form of flush tank, although it is to be understood that it is adapted for use with any form of flush tank operating upon the same broad principle. rhe flushing apparatus, as here shown, comprises a tank T, having a water supply pipe PeXtending through the bottom thereof and connected at its upper end to a discharge pipe l) through a coupling C, the latter containing ar cut-oli valve V which is operabler by a mechanism M throughthe medium of a float F. YWithin the tank is an overflow pipe G connected at its lovfer end to a spud S which constitutes an outlet porti'or the water contained in thetank and which is adapted for connection to a standpipeVV leading downwardly to the bowl to deliver water from the` tank to the` bowl. Y

The iiush valve mechanism constituting the subject-matter of my invention comprises, in f the present instance, a cylinder 15 suitably secured In upright positionwithinthe tank T point directly above the spud S. This cylinder isclosed at its opposite end, and a stem 16 is movable through the bottom of the cylinder and is iXedly secured to a valve 17 adapted to close the Spud S to preventdischarge of water from the tank to the bowl.

The upper end of the stem ,16 is provided with a piston 18 movable in the cylinder to occupy a lowered position as shown in Fig. 2 and a positionas snown in Fig. 3. The piston may be of any suitable construction to prevent leakage of fluid past the piston, and in the present instance the piston is provided with a leather cup washer 18a, arranged as shown to insure a iiuid-tight seal against water passing downwardly raround the piston.f At all times the piston is spaced from the upper end of the cylinder to provide an intervening chamber to which water `under pres# sure 1s ladapted to be delivered from` a pipe 20. i into the. water supply pipe P at a point below the valve V so that the kwater pressure of the pipe line can be delivered rto the chamber 19v for actuating the piston 18. The vpist-on is yieldably urged to the elevated position shown in F 3 by means of a spring 2l disposed within the cylinder 15 and interposed between the lower end of the cylinder and a spider 22 secured to the stem 161 and slidable in the cylinder. vThe bottom of the cylinder is provided with vent openings 23 to allow 'free circulation of water and air into and out of the cylinder so that neither will interfere with vthe normal operation of the piston.

The quantity of water delivered to the chamber 19 within a given'time can be varied through the provision and adjustment ofa needle valve 24 in the pipe 2O for the purpose of varying the closing action of the valve 17 asit will be understood that the rate of flow of water to the chamber increases or decreases according as the yneedle valve is` opened or closed thusincreasing or decreasing the time required to close the valve 17.

By varying the closing movement of the Asshown in Fig. 1, this pipe is tapped.v

`'tight seal.

valve 17, the duration of the liushing interval can be changed accordingly to suit bowls of Jurther, variatioir different construction. in closing movement of the valve 17 compensates for differing water pressures to the end of producing the required flushing of a bowl irrespective of the water pressure. Should the. water pressure be relatively low, the needle valve can be Jfully opened thus securing the maximum rate of flow. Conversely, if the ywater pressure is relatively high, the needle valve is adjusted to reduce the rate of liow. A ball check valve is also interposed in the pipe 2O at a point adjacent the pipes connection with the cylinder 15. This valve 25 opens in the direction of the cylinder as clearly illustrated inFig. 2, and is adapted to close only when the pre. sure of water in the supply pipeP is less than that oi the Water pressure in the chamber' 19. 1n this manner any reduction in water pressure in the supply pipe will be ineffective to reduce the pressure in the chamber 19.

To permitdischarge oi water from the chamber`19 in order to relievethe piston 18 of' water pressure and thereby permit the spring 21 to function in elevating the piston and consequently opening the valve 17, 1 provide an outlet pipe comprising a sect-ion 26 secured to the cylinder 15 and a section 27 having a closed and flanged end 28 secured to the inner wall of the tank T. rl`he confronting ends of the pipe sections 26 and 27 are connected to each other and at this point a port 29 is provided controlled by a ball valve 30. Within the pipe section-27 an outlet port 31 is formed and through this port water from the chamber 19 can discharge into the tank when the valve is in Vopen position. The valve is normally held in closed position by the pressure ol' water in the chamber 19, but it is adapted to.

be manually moved to open position by a short operating rod 32 extending to a. point exteriorly oi the tank T and provided with a button 33. .A spring 34 yieldably urges the rod to a projected position in which the valve 30 is allowed to seat and close the port 29.*

In operation, the parts ot the flush valve mechanism occupy the positions illustrated in Fig. 2 when the tank Tis iilled with water. The valve 17 is held in closed position by the pressure of water delivered to the chamber 19 from the pipe P and acting on the piston 18 to move the latter to the position shown in Fig. 2. ln, this position of the -piston the stem 16is depressed. and the spring 21 compressed, and under the water pressure acting through the stem, the valve 17 pressed into closed `position on the spud il with aforce T `flush the tank it is only necessary to push the rod 32 inwardlyuntil the valve 30 is unseated when the: water in the chamber:

sufficient to produce a water-l 19 will be discharged into the tank through the port 81. As the pressure on the piston 18 decreases the spring 21 functions to elevate the piston and move the valve 17Y to open position, thus permitting the water to be discharged-from vthe tank into the pipe However, by adjustment of the needle valvef 24, this closing movement can be varied as required as has been previously described. Upon release of the rod 32 the valve 30 closes the port 29 so that watery pressure again builds up in the chamber 19. Beca-use of the restricted area. of the pipe 2O this building up of pressure occurs slowly so that the piston 18 is gradually moved to its lowermost position thus delaying closing or' the valve 17. As the water pressure against the piston is continuous, it willbe clearv that the valve 17 is positively held in'closed position to again produce the water-tight seal and thereby eliminateV leakage of water to the bow and the attendant annoyance.

The situation often occurs where the water pressure in the supply pipe is greatly reduced owingto water being discharged at other points in the water line of al dwelling. f

This pressure may be reduced to such a degree as to render the water inelective inY maintaining the piston 18 in'its lowermost position and consequently the spring 21 will function to open the valve 17 To prevent this accidental openingoi the valve 17 the valve 25 has been provided, and as previously described, this valvecloses automatically when the pressure ot Water in the supply pipe P is appreciably reduced, thereby preventing a reduction in water pressure within the chamber 19 so that the piston remains depressed and the valve 17 closed.

Although I have herein shown and deu scribed only one form of flush tank for waterclosets embodying myy invention, `vit vis to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made herein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

TWhat l claim is 1. A flush valve mechanism comprising a spud, av valve yieldably urged to openposition with respect to the spud, means for closing the valve, means adapted for connection to a water supply pipe tor conducting water to said means so that its pressure actuates said means to eiliect a positive closing of said valve, means for relieving the iirst means oi" water pressure to allow opening of said valve, and a check valve igor maintaining a predetermined pressure oiwater in the first means whereby temporary reduction of water pressure in the supply pipe will be ineffective to permit opening the valve.

2. A' flush valve mechanism comprising a spud, a valve yieldably urged to open position with respect to thespud, means for closing the valve, lmeans adapted for connection to a water supply pipe 'for conducting water to said means so that its pressure actuates said means to effect a .positive closing of said valve, and a valve for controlling the quantity of water delivered to the irst means ina given time.

3. ln a water-closet flushing apparatus, a tank, a watersupply pipe, a cut-olf valve in the supply pipe, a water outlet through which water is discharged int-o a bowl, a flush valve i'or the outlet yieldably urged to open position, a piston torinoving the valve to closed position, a pipe for conducting water pressure trom the supply pipe at a point in advance of the cut-ottl vvalve to the rpiston to actua-te the Vlatter and thus close said valve, and manually operable means itor rel-ievingV the piston of water pressure toy allow opening of the valve.y A

4. In a water-closet flushing apparatus, a

tank, a water supply pipe, aout-olf valvek in the supply pipe, a wateroutlet through which water is discharged into a bowl, a

flush valve for the outlet yieldably urged said valve, a port for relieving the piston' of water pressure, a valve normally clos- K ing the port, and manually operable means for opening the port.

5. A flush valvemeohanism comprising a spud, a valve yieldably urged to open position with respect to the spud, means for. opening the valve, a piston for closing' the valve, a pipe adapted for connection to a water supply pipe to deliver water pressure to the piston for closing the valve, and manually operable means :tor relieving the piston of water pressure to allow opening ot the valve.

6. Atiush valve mechanism comprising a spud, a valve yieldably urged to open lpositi-on with respect to the spud, means for opening the valve, a piston for closingV the valve, a pipe adapted for connection to a water supply pipe to deliver water pressure to the piston for closing the valve, a port for relieving the piston forv water pressure, a valve normally closing the port, and manually operable means tor opening the port.

7. A lush valve mechanism comprising a spud, a valve yieldably urged to open position with respect to the spud, means for closing the valve, a piston for closing the valve, a pipe adapted for connection to a water supplyvpipe to deliverv water pressure to thev 'Y tion with respect to the spud, means -or closing the valve, lapistonv for closing the valve, a pipe'adapted 'for connection to a watersupplyy pipe to vdeliver water pressure to the piston for closing the valve, manually operable means orrelieving the piston of water pressure to allow opening of the valve, a valve in thepipe for controlling the quantity of Water delivered to the piston in a given timeI- and a checlr valve for maintaining a .predetermii'ied water pressure against the piston when the relief is closed whereby temporary reduction of water pressure in said pipey will not reduce they pressure exerted against the piston.

9. A flush valve mechanism-comprisingV a spud, a closed cylinderl secured abovethe spud, a pistonin the cylinder, a valve for the spud, a stem movable in the cylinder andA operatively connected to the piston, a spring within the cylinder associated with the stem to yieldably urge the valve to open position and to elevate the piston,ya pipe communicating with the cylinder above the piston and adapted for connection to a source of.`

water supplygtodeliver `water pressurev to the piston and thus actuate the latter to move the valvejto closed position against the action o'said spring, an outlet pipe in communication with the cylinder above ythe piston for relieving the cylinder of water pressure, a valve normally closing the pipe, and manually operable means for opening the valve. l0.k A flush valve mechanism as embodied in claim 9 wherein the first-mentioned pipe. is`

provided with a valve for controlling the quantity of water supplied to the cylinder in a given time. n

l1. A iusli valve mechanism as embodied in claim 9 wherein the first-mentioned pipe is provided with acheck valve opening toward the cylinderand closing when the pressure of water within the pipe isless than that within' the cylinder.

l2. .A flush valve mechanism comprising va valve normally urged to an open position with respect to an outlet, a piston for moving the valve to a closed position with respect to the outlet, means adapted for connection to a source of water supply under pressure for conducting the water to the piston so that the water actuates the piston to efect a positive closing of the valve, and means for relievingthe piston of the water pressure to allow opening of the valve.

13. A Hush valve mechanism comprising a valve normally urged to an open position with respect to an outlet, apiston for moving the valve to a closed position with respect to the outlet, means adapted for connection to a source ot water supply under pressure tor conducting the water to the piston so that the water actuates the piston to eliect a positive closing of the valve, a port for relieving the iston oi lwater 'ressure a valve normali f closing the port, and means tor actuating' the last mentioned valve to open the port.

14. A, iiush valve mechanism comprising a valve normally urged to an open position with respect to anoutlet, a piston or moving the valve to a closed position with respect to the outlet, means adapted for connection to a source oi water supply under pressure 'for conducting the water to the piston so that the water actuates the piston to eli'ect a positive closing ot the valve, means vfor relieving the piston of the water pressure 'to allow closing oi the valve, and means by which the quantity of water delivered to the piston in a given time can loe 'varied at will.

l5. A llush valve mechanism comprising a valve normally urged to an open position with respect to an outlet, a piston tor moving the valve to a .closed position with respect to the outlet, means adapted loi' connection to a source of water supply under pressure lor conducting the water to the piston so that the water actuates the piston to eli'ectr a positive closing of the Valve, means for relieving the piston of the water pressure to allow closing of the valve, and means for maintaining a predetermined water pressure against the `piston when the relieving means is inactive, whereloy a temporary reduction in pressure of the water from the source ol' supply will loe inelective to reduce the pressure exerted against the piston.

16. flush valve mechanism comprising a valve normally urged to anopen position with respect to an outlet, a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder operatively connected to 'theV valve for moving then valve to a closed position with respectto the outlet, the piston and cylinder cosoperating to provide a chamber between the two, means adapted for connection to a source of water supply under pressure tor conducting water to the chamber so.

that the water will act against and move the piston to eir'ect a. positive closing of the valve, andmeans tor relieving the chamber of the water pressure to thereby allow the valve to* move to open position.

17. A flush valve mechanism comprising a valve normally urged to an open position with respect to an outlet, a cylinder, a piston,

in the cylinder operatively connected to the valve for moving thev valve to a closed position with respect' to the outlet, the piston' and cylinder cooperating to provide la chamber betweenn the two, a pipe adapted vtor connec- Y tion to a source ot' water supply under pressure for conducting water to the chamber soV that the water will act against and move the on lso that the first mentioned valve is free to I move to open position.

18. A flush valve mechanism compris-ing a valve normally urged to kan open position with respect to an outlet, a piston for moving the valve to a closed position with respect to the outlet, means adapted for connection to a source or water supply under pressurevtor conducting the waterto the piston so that the water actuates the piston to eitect` a. positiveA closing of the valve, means for relievingthe. piston of :the water pressure to allow closing of the valve, and adpistalole meansforconvtrolling the rate of flow of water to the piston, so that the. time required for the water toactuate the piston and close the valve can loe varied. Y V

MORRIS SCHILLER. 

